At this hour, the drama of our Lord's sacrifice began. Jesus was nailed to the cross like a criminal.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Come let us worship!

Psalm 54

Save me, O God, by your name and vindicate me by Your might. Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth. For insolent men have risen against me, ruthless men seek my life; they do not set God before them. Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. he will requite my enemies with evil; in Your faithfulness put an end to them. With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to You; I will give thanks to Your name O Lord, for it is good. For You have delivered me from every trouble and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies!

Prayers

O Christ God, on the sixth day and hour, You nailed to the Cross the sin which rebellious Adam committed in paradise. Tear asunder also the bond of our inequities, and save us! you have wrought salvation in the midst of the earth, O Christ God. You stretched out Your all-pure hands upon the Cross; You gathered together all the nations that cry aloud to You: Glory to You, O Lord!

Prayer of St. Basil the Great

O God, Lord of hosts and Maker of all created things, who in Your great compassion and mercy sent down Your Only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, for the redemption of mankind, and by His precious Cross destroyed the writing of our sins, thereby triumphing over the source and power of darkness: O Lord and Lover of man, accept also the thanksgiving and fervent prayers of us sinners. Deliver us from every dark and harmful transgression and from all the visible and invisible enemies which seek to destroy us. Nail our flesh to the fear of You, and do not incline our hearts to words of thoughts of guile. But wound our souls with Your love, that ever looking to You, and guided by You in the light, and beholding You, the Light ineffable and everlasting, we may offer ceaseless praise and thanksgiving to You: To the Father who has no beginning, together with Your only-begotten Son and Your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, may the Lord have mercy on us. Amen.